HIE EIR MYTH BUSTED

[Stephen Frizza]

Ok has anyone else with a canon camera been told the infra red light and sensors inside the canon camera ruin Infra red films such HIE and EIR?

Well having just tested HIE and EIR in the Eos 3, Eos 5 , Eos 33, Eos 30, Elan 7ne and Eos 300. I have learnt what really goes on. The Films do get exposure to infra red light in all models however it is only through one edge and half the sprocket holes. It doesn't come close to damaging the image area!!

HOWEVER!!! once a film is at frame 36 do not let the camera rewind the film!!!
or a second infra red source exposes the film!!! instead manually unload the camera in darkness and I can assure you the film will be fine.

Canon cameras are fine to handle infra red film yet even canon says in certain manuals IR film cant be loaded in their cameras. Myth Busted.


~Steve

AMENDMENT: In all tests the EYE Control IR sensor was switched to OFF!!! It was not tested weather turning this feature on would cause exposure to the film plane however I cant imagine it would.

 

[amuderick]

Hey, great news! I'd love to use my EOS instead in my old Canon FD-era camera. I'll give it a try!

 

[tim_walls]

I've had no problem with HIE or EIR in an EOS-1V, with the camera rewinding the film as normal. The sprocket holes end up with a stripe down them (there's obviously a small IR LED counting sprocket holes) but nothing on the image area.

 

[Stephen Frizza]

Hi Tim I should have made mention canon does say the EOS 1V is the only EOS camera designed so HIE and EIR can be loaded in them. that is why it wasn't included in my test.

 

[tim_walls]

hi tim I should have made mention canon does say the EOS 1v is designed so HIE and EIR can be loaded in them. that is why it wasn't included in my test.

Ah, oops, sorry - ignore me folks, nothing to see here...

 

[PhotoJim]

There are some older Canons that don't fog IR film too. Since autofocus is of no use, a $20 EOS 620 might be a good alternative to the gyrations of manually rewinding the film.

 

[Toffle]

I have had similar results with my Nikon N80. After being told in no uncertain terms that is strictly was impossible to shoot HIE in my camera, I loaded it up anyway. As Steve says, only about 1/2 the sprocket hole appears to be affected by the IR sensor in the camera. I have seen no fogging whatsoever in the film. I have experienced no problem with the IR sensor on rewind.

If truth be known, I have only shot "near-IR", using a dark red filter, not the full IR filters. I doubt it would make much of a difference.

Of course, this discussion is pretty much academic, as the supply of HIE is rapidly dwindling. I've got two rolls in my freezer. There are another half-dozen in my local camera shop. (but at approaching $20 CDN including taxes, I'm not that desperate to hoard them)

Cheers,

 

[Ralf]

Thanks for that information, Stephen! I own an EOS 3 and also fell for the rumor that infrared is out of the question with that camera.

 

[walter23]

There are some older Canons that don't fog IR film too. Since autofocus is of no use, a $20 EOS 620 might be a good alternative to the gyrations of manually rewinding the film.

If you don't mind the sticky gooey shutter from the deteriorating foam bumper ruining 1/3 of your exposures.

 

[walter23]

So, now that HIE is no longer available, do I run one of my three remaining precious rolls through my elan 7n to see if it ruins it?

 

[mawz]

If you don't mind the sticky gooey shutter from the deteriorating foam bumper ruining 1/3 of your exposures.

Fixable easily for less than $10.

 

[PhotoJim]

If you don't mind the sticky gooey shutter from the deteriorating foam bumper ruining 1/3 of your exposures.

The cameras aren't that old. Is Canon foam that bad? I have a 1989 Nikon N8008s that has fine foam. Works like a top.

 

[Stephen Frizza]

So, now that HIE is no longer available, do I run one of my three remaining precious rolls through my elan 7n to see if it ruins it?

the elan 7n is the same as the 30 or 33 and will not be damaged by the camera.

~steve

 

[Alex Bishop-Thorpe]

A quick google search usually turns up if your camera has the IR frame counter that seems to cause the concern. My EOS 1 doesnt have it, but instead some clunky loud mechanical winding mechanism - I choose to find it cute, really.